‘Leopard may be searching for food’

Kakinada: East Godavari DFO Nandini Salaria has said that the Forest Department has been keeping a constant surveillance at the place and surroundings where the leopard was spotted on Monday evening.

The leopard disappeared late in the night from Ankampalem village, 30 km from Rajamahendravaram.

The DFO explained the measures initiated by forest department to ‘The Hans India’ on Tuesday.

She said that wildlife protection wing in the Forest Department and the Vizag Zoo authorities in coordination with the police made all the efforts to catch the animal without causing any damage or loss.

It may be mentioned that five persons sustained minor injuries when the locals tried to chase the animal away with sticks. “We arranged a cage with a goat in it and laid traps to catch the animal as it climbed on a coconut tree,” the DFO said.

The DFO also said that the leopard might have come from a long distance in search of food.

“Our staff on Tuesday noticed the footprints of the animal for about 2 km in Godavari River area from where it surfaced on Monday evening.

The leopard might have left the area crossing from one tree to another,” the DFO observed.

“If its presence is noticed in the vicinity, we are geared up to catch it live,” Nandini Salaria said.

The DFO thanked the local residents for leaving the area on Monday night to lessen the tension to their department staff and to the animal as well.